Employees develop perceptions of organizational support (POS) through their interactions with various organizational members. This study introduces a new source of such support: the human resources (HR) department. We argue that employees form perceptions of HR support (perceived HR support: PHRS) through their experiences with HR practices and interactions with HR staff. Focusing on organizational newcomers, who typically engage closely with their HR department, this study investigates whether PHRS influences their adjustment. Drawing on data collected from newcomers at a Japanese company, our analysis reveals that higher levels of PHRS are associated with improved newcomer adjustment (i.e., role clarity, task mastery, social integration). Moreover, PHRS and perceived supervisor support (PSS) interact to further facilitate this adjustment. This research contributes to HR management research and practice by highlighting a critical role of HR departments in supporting employees’ integration and success.
